Man locked out of Bethalto house breaks window, bleeds to death

BETHALTO — A neighbor spotted a man down in the backyard of a home, who police discovered dead Monday when they arrived at the location, according to a Bethalto Police Department news release.

At approximately 7 a.m., a Bethalto resident of the 200 block of Park Drive called 911 to report that they observed the man in the backyard of a home in the 100 block of E. Sherman St., both in Bethalto.

Bethalto police officers arrived within one minute of the 911 call followed shortly by a Bethalto Volunteer Fire Department EMT, who found no signs of life from the man. Subsequently the following agencies Madison County Coroner’s Office, Illinois State Police CSI, and the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office were contacted and responded to the scene.

The investigation thus far indicated that the man was not a victim of criminal violence. Evidence discovered at the scene indicates that the deceased had locked himself out of his home in the late evening of Sunday, Aug. 28, or the early morning of Monday, Aug. 29.

Further, the deceased broke a window to enter his backdoor, which caused a significant laceration to his arm. He subsequently succumbed to blood loss and died. No evidence has been found that the deceased contacted anyone for help. The investigation is ongoing.